Liquid fuel



Patented July 6, 1926.

UNITED STATES eusravus J. ESSELEN, .132, or SWAMPSCO PATENTL'IOF-FICE.

TT, MASSACHUSETTS, 'ASSIGNOR TO UNITED FRUIT OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ACORPORATION OF EW JERSEY.-

nmurn FUEL.

tion engines, it is desirableto mix with the fuel an amount oflubricating .oil equiva lent, e. g.,

lubricating the cylinder walls of an internal .combustion engine .shouldbe used, the particular gradedepending upon the type and size of engine.Lubricating oil, however, is not internal combustion engines of thistype successfully when an alcohol motor fuel is used, in orderthat'suchfuel may carry the lubricant, it is necessary that a medium beprovided, a relatively small quantity of which will maintain thelubricant intimately mixed or blended with the fuel. At the same time,such a medium must be inexpensive and must not interfere with the use ofthe fuel for power purposes; that is, the residue which remains afterthe fuel has been consumed must be in a gaseous or liquid condition inorder that it may readily pass outwith the other'products of'combustion,and not solidify upon the cooling of the enine at the conclusion of arun. Such medium must itself remain intimately mixed with the fuel andnot separate out. upon the drop in temperature due tothe vaporization ofthe fuel, or at any normal temperature, and must also remain solublewith the lubricant and the fuel. I have found that a small amount of analkali (sodium, potassium or ammonium) salt of a higher fatty acid, suchas palmitic, stearic, or oleic acid and the like, will accomplish thedesired results and maintain the lubricant intimately mixed with thefuel. Though suchsalts are preferably used, there may be employedinstead the acids from which these salts are formed.

My invention is obviously capable of bein'g carried out indifferentways, though for the. purpose of illustration I shall here describe buttwo examples which show how it 0 may be applied. Ordinarily when alcoholis used as a fuel for internal combustion to about 1%-4% of the, volumeof the fuel. A lubricating oil suitable for use in miscible withalcohol. Therefore, to operate 26, 1924. Serial no. 695,379.

engines, some other constituent is added, e. g., ether. Accordingly, Ihave in the examples which follow set forth-fuelscontaining ether, whichI preferably employ. The lnvention, however, is useful for any alcoholfuel, though it will be found desirable to use more of the blendingmedium the higher the proportion of alcohol.

orinstance, a fuel made in accordance with my invention ma be comprisedas follows :-60 parts by vo ume of ethyl alcohol, partsby volume ofether, 2 parts by volume of lubricating oil, 1/30 to part of e.g..ammonium stearate.

- It is understood that any higher fatty .acid or an alkali salt of suchacid may be used in lieu of the ammonium stearate.

. Another example of a fuel made in accordance. with my invention may becomprised as follows :80 ethyl alcohol, 20 parts y volume of ether, 2parts by volume of lubricating oil, to Apart of e. g. ammonium stearate.

It is evident that the examples above described are, to be regarded asbut illustrative of my invention and not in any way limiting the scopethereof, as it is clear that various changes in the amounts of theconstituents may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Having described the invention and suitable ways of utilizing andpractising it what I claim'and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:-

, 1. A fuelconsisting mainly of ethyl alcohol, and containing an alkalisalt ofa higher fatty acid, and lubricating oil.

2. A fuel consisting mainly of ethyl alcohol, and containing a. higherfatty acid and lubricating oil.

3. A fuel consisting mainly of ethyl alco- .hol and ether, andcontaining an alkali salt of a higher fatty acid and lubricating oil.4:. A fuel consisting mainly of ethyl alcohol and ether, and containinga higher fatty acid and lubricating oil.

5. An alcohol fuel comprisin at least parts by volume of ethyl alcoho asubstanarts by volume of l tial amount of lubricating oil, a higherfatty acid, and ether. I

6. An alcohol fuel comprising at least 60 parts by volume of ethylalcohol, a substantial amount of lubricating oil, an alkali salt of ahigher fatty acid, and ether. 7

7 An alcohol fuel comprising at least .60 parts by volume of ethylalcohol, ether, a substantial amount of lubricating oil, and a salt of afatty acid.

8. A fuel consisting mainly of ethyl alco hol and ether and containinglubricating oil, and less than 25% of a fatty acid. 10

9. A fuel consisting mainly of ethyl alco hol and ether and containinglubricating oil, and less than 25% of a higher fatty acid.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed m name. I

USTAVUS J. ESSELEN, JR.

